If you’re a parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, the Contributory Parent visa pathway is one of the most direct ways to reunite with your family in Australia. This program gives you two options:
- Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary)
- Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent (Permanent)
Together, these visas are designed to help families manage the high visa costs more flexibly, while still providing a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
Subclass 173 – Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa
The Subclass 173 visa is a temporary visa valid for 2 years. It allows parents to live in Australia with their children while preparing to apply for the permanent Subclass 143. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa.
- Gives you the chance to join your family in Australia.
- Lets you access Medicare and enjoy many benefits of living in Australia.
- Designed to split the visa costs into two parts, making them easier to manage.
- Once the 2 years are over, you must apply for the Subclass 143 to stay permanently.
Important Note: In recent years, the processing times for parent visas have increased significantly. Therefore, applicants are strongly advised to apply directly for the permanent Subclass 143 visa from the beginning, so that the overall process can be as short as possible.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the Subclass 173, applicants must:
- Have a sponsor: Your sponsor must be your biological, adopted, or step child, who is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident usually living in Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen usually living in Australia.
- Meet the Balance of Family Test.
- Meet the health and character requirements.
- Have paid back any debt to the Australian Government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
- Sign the Australian Values Statement.
- Meet the “best interests of the child” requirement, if relevant.
- Not already hold or have applied for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870).
- Meet all applicable visa conditions and follow Australian law.
Subclass 143 – Contributory Parent (Permanent) Visa
The Subclass 143 visa represents the permanent stage of this pathway. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply for the visa. Parents may apply directly for this visa, or they can transition from the Subclass 173 visa. However, given that the processing times for Australian parent visas have become significantly longer in recent years, we strongly recommend that applicants consider applying directly for the permanent Subclass 143 visa in order to achieve a faster outcome.
- Grants permanent residency in Australia.
- Gives access to Medicare and, over time, eligibility for Australian citizenship.
- Allows you to live in Australia indefinitely and enjoy being close to your children.
Although the costs are higher than the non-contributory options, the processing time is shorter.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the Subclass 143, applicants must:
- Have an eligible child sponsor who is a settled Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident usually living in Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen usually living in Australia.
- Meet all applicable visa conditions and follow Australian law.
- Not already have applied for or hold a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (Subclass 870).
- Meet the Balance of Family Test.
- Have an Assurance of Support (AoS).
- Meet the health and character requirements.
- Have paid back any debt to the Australian Government.
- Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused.
- Sign the Australian Values Statement.
- Have health insurance, if required.
- Meet the “best interests of the child” requirement, if relevant.
Balance of Family Test
This test ensures that the majority of your family ties are in Australia. You will meet the requirement if:
- At least half of your children live permanently in Australia, or
- More of your children live permanently in Australia than in any other single country.
Children must be Australian citizens, permanent residents usually living in Australia, or eligible New Zealand citizens. Children living overseas or on temporary visas in Australia are not counted.
Why Choose the Contributory Parent Visa Pathway?
- Certainty: Both visas are part of a clear pathway to permanent residency.
- Family Reunification: Be with your children and grandchildren in Australia.
- Manageable Fees: Pay visa charges in two stages instead of all at once.
Conclusion
The Contributory Parent visa pathway is one of the most popular choices for parents who want to build their lives closer to their children in Australia.
For more information on the subclass 143 contributory parent visa, or any parent visas you are interested in, contact Migration Door Australia for your visa assessment. You can book a free consultation.
